The Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns have announced a series of community-focused initiatives to support their city during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MLS and NWSL clubs have teamed up to create the Stand Together Assistance Fund, which helps part-time staff financial during this uncertain period. The fund is geared towards game day and merchandise staff, with payments covered for postponed games at Providence Park.
In partnership with Park Provisions, the hospitality team serving Providence Park, the clubs will also donate approximately 1,000 pounds of perishable food, bread, produce and other food items to Life UP. The non-profit organization is focused on reducing hunger for low-income residents of northwest and downtown Portland.
Club mascot Timber Joey will also host children’s reading sessions to homebound school kids every Tuesday and Thursday. Those experiences will be aired on YouTube, the Stand Together Instagram Live feed and both clubs’ Facebook pages.
There will also be a monetary contribution to the Oregon Community Fund’s Oregon COVID-19 Pooled Fund and gratitude packages delivered to Providence healthcare workers. Further, club staff and their families are writing notes and greeting cards to healthcare workers and seniors who receive Meals on Wheels.
“Hang in there, stay positive and follow public health guidelines and we all will get through this together,” owner Merritt Paulson said Monday in a club statement. “We care deeply about all of you and thank you so very much for your continued support. It is more meaningful now to us than ever before."
